A Closer Look at the Drafted Swedish Players

By pbadmin

June 25th, 2002

ROUND 1#24Alexander Steen – F – TorontoJust like everyone expected Steen got drafted in the first round.Being the son of former NHL’er Thomas Steen, the expectations arealready high on Alexander. He plays a strong overall game.He has fine offensive skills but also takes care of his defensiveresponsibilities. Has all the tools to become a future star.

#28Jonas Johansson – F – ColoradoA bit surprising that Johansson was picked beforethe more experienced Joakim Lindström. Jonas has had good season althoughhis play in the J-20 league was somewhat inconsistent. He receivedsome attention when he scored 8 points in a junior game this past winter.While he wasn’t among the biggest stars in the junior league, Jonas playedvery well with team Sweden U-18.

ROUND 2#41Joakim Lindström – F – ColumbusMany thought that Lindström would get drafted in the 1st roundbut slipped down to 41st overall. A good pick by Columbus.Lindström has strong offensive skills including speed and scoring ability.He was pretty silent during the regular season with MoDo in the elite league, butplayed extremely well in the playoffs.

ROUND 3#81Marcus Jonasén – F – NY RangersJonasén is a big surprise, specially being drafted in the 3rd round. The Rangerswere likely impressed with Jonasén’s powerful game, instead of his offensive upside.He spent the last season with VIK Hockey in the Swedish 3rd-tier league and registered3 points in 16 games. Next season Jonasén will play for 2nd-tier team Hammarby.

ROUND 4#101Daniel Fernholm – D – PittsburghPittsburgh must be happy with this pick. Although gambling, there’s no doubtthat this huge and mobile defenseman has star potential. Hopefully Fernholm willstay clear of injuries this season and make his elite league debut with Djurgårdenin the Swedish Elite League.

#111Jonas Almtorp – F – EdmontonA nice pick by Edmonton. Almtorp has a great scoring touch. He scored 27 goalsin 39 games with MoDo in the Swedish junior league. He isn’t afraid of heavy trafficeither.

#120Robin Jonsson – D – St LouisA steal by the Blues. Jonsson has come off a terrific rookie season in the Swedish2nd-tier league. He plays a good two-way game and should be a solid elite leaguedefenseman in 1-2 years.

#125Johan Björk – D – OttawaJust like Jonsson Björk plays a strong two-way game. He will make his elite leaguedebut next season and has a good shot of seeing regular ice-time.

ROUND 5#149Marcus Paulsson – F – NY IslandersThe tough and hardworking Paulsson might become a steal. He plays a game that isvery similar to the North American. Will likely play in the CHL next season.

#159Kristofer Persson – F – CalgaryPersson spent the last season with MoDo J-20. He wasn’t a big scorer and the pick is a bit surprising.

ROUND 7#204Nicklas Eckerblom – F – MinnesotaEckerblom played with Djurgården in the lower junior level this season. He did put upgood numbers, but the league was rather poor, so it doesn’t really say much about hisoffensive skills. On the other hand Eckerblom played well with team Sweden during the year, whichis also likely the reason Minnesota drafted him.

#207Pierre Johnsson – D – CalgaryAn interesting defenseman from Färjestad/Karlstad. Johnsson played well with Färjestad’sJ-20 team this season and is expected to play with a 3rd-tier league team next season. But nowafter being drafted it wouldn’t surprise me if he’d join a team in the 2nd-tier league instead.

#221Jonas Johnsson – F – St LouisA very surprising pick. No one thought the 32-year old Johnsson would get drafted, but the Bluesmust have been impressed with his play during the World Championships. Some of you might remember Johnssonas Kristian Huselius’ linemate two seasons ago. They were truly a dynamic duo. Well, Johnsson brings a lotof experience and reads the game very well. He plays an all-round game and would probably notmake a fool out of him self in the NHL.

ROUND 9#262Christian Söderström – F – DetroitAnother surprise. Although Söderström had a good season with Timrå (16 points), no onecould predict that the Wings were interested. Perhaps a reason might be that he played alongwith Henrik Zetterberg. Söderström is however not NHL-ready. He is not a very hardworkingplayer, more of a finesse-player with good hands and moves.

#269Mika Hannula – F – MinnesotaA terrific pick by Minnesota. Hannula is a very speedy winger who enjoys playing physicaland to work around the net and along the boards. He was arguably MIF Redhawk’s best playerin the SEL this season and also got to play a few exhibition games with team Sweden. Hannulareminds quite a bit of Tampa Bay’s Jimmie Ölvestad.

#272Patric Blomdahl – F – WashingtonA long-term project. He had a fairly good season in the junior league and is expected to gethis breakthrough next season. Has decent overall skills.

#274Fredrik Johansson – F – EdmontonNot a flashy player, it’s all about working hard when this guy is on the ice. Johanssonhas a great heart and always gives 100%. Despite him working so hard, he stilldid put up good numbers in the junior league, and has some offensive potential as well.Could become a solid checking-line player in the future.

#283Per Braxenholm – D – NY IslandersA big defenseman who is playing with Mörrum in the 2nd-tier league. Braxenholm saw very limitedice-time this season, but his responsibilities will likely increase this year. Another long-termproject.

#285Staffan Kronvall – D – TorontoKronvall has good size and he moves the puck well. He has come off a good rookie season withHuddinge. Kronvall will become a solid SEL-player in the future. The question is if he’s goodenough for the NHL?

#291Jonathan Ericsson – D – DetroitDetroit’s third Swede and yet again a very surprising one. Ericsson is perhaps the least knownSwedish player of all that were drafted this year. The strong defenseman played with Hästen’sjunior team in a lower league, but will likely move up in the system now after being drafted.